Traveling Basics

above APC, photos below from Totokaelo

I've been thinking a lot about our trip, even though it is still over two months away (if you've spotted the clock counting down in the sidebar, that's what it's for).  It will be my first trip to Europe so I'm pretty darn excited!  Tom has been several times on business so he'll make an excellent tour guide.  Although much of the time I spend daydreaming about all the sights we'll see and the food we'll eat and the adventures we'll have, I do spend a fair amount of time wondering about what I'll pack.  As I mentioned before, we're not checking any luggage and will each have to fit everything we're carrying into a backpack (these backpacks to be exact).  That means lots of comfortable basics, good shoes for walking, things I can mix-and-match and pieces that won't get all wrinkly after being stuffed into said backpacks.  What I have in mind looks a lot like the spring/summer offering from A.P.C.  I think I could mix-and-match my way through a two week trip with what you see here. 

Long Overdue

 - Steven Alan dress
 - vintage Levis shirt
 - vintage leather riding boots
 - thrifted J. Crew felt hat


Hey y'all!  Did you think I'd disappeared from the blog forever?  Nah, I just needed a break from photo-taking for a while.  I thought it would be a week or two and that turned into, um, a month or two.  Well, now that the temperatures are beginning to rise (not that I think that's going to stick around for long) maybe I'll venture out to document more outfits.  So, this is what I'm looking like these days.  I'm addicted to this felt hat I found at the thrift store, I'm using my hot rollers every time I wash my hair (but I like my curls better on day two - this is day one) and I'm so happy to finally have bare legs!  Now you know.  :)

End of Season ETSY SALE!

I just marked down nearly the whole shop (almost 130 items) to make room for all of the spring pieces that I'm so excited to show you.  Please help me clean out the shop to make some room!  Almost everything has been reduced to under $20.  Remember I give discounts for combined shipping so feel free to take advantage. You can find everything in the SALE SALE SALE section.  Shop away!

What's Been Keeping Me Busy...

• Enjoying the illustrations of Kris Atomic. Especially the one above!  I relate to it a bit too much.  I hate it when strangers tell me to smile.  YOU smile! 
• Studying German.  Learning a new language is one of those things that would be on my "bucket list" (if I had one).  With our trip coming up this spring, now seems like a good time to finally push myself to do it.  I'm using the Pimsleur method (just learning to speak and respond, not read or write) and so far I'm retaining more than I thought I would.  Hopefully I'll be able to hold a conversation while we're in Germany!
• Playing with my new camera.  I decided to upgrade to a Canon Rebel EOS XS.  Now I just have to learn how to use it.  So far, so good!
• Cooking with more fresh ingredients.  I've always loved to cook and I'm trying to use more and more fresh fruits and veggies every day.  Especially after I read an article that said dissolved human hair from China is used in some commercial breads.  Ugh.  Now I think I need to learn to bake bread. 
• Looking forward to spring.  Our backyard is looking really barren and I can't wait to plant our vegetable garden again this year.  AND I'm getting really tired of wearing layers to leave the house.

Etsy Update: Jewel Tones

terracotta gingham dress ... turquoise wool dress ... olive shift dress

topaz knit sweater & skirt ... teal windowpane dress ... sapphire knit sweater dress

floral wiggle dress ... marled knit dress ... jade wool wiggle dress

opal plaid blouse ... amber knit shirt ... cocoa print ruffle blouse

garnet pocket skirt ... jasper plaid skirt ... maroon plaid skirt


jewel bias plaid skirt ... turquoise wool mini skirt ... seafoam knit skirt 

periwinkle floral cardigan ... ruby knit sweater ... amethyst wool cardigan

boatneck stripe sweater ... narrow stripe sweater ... folk singer sweater

Jacques Esterel

I thought I would show you one more thing that found its way into my closet.  I came across this dress at the Salvation Army while I was searching for things for the Etsy shop.  I pulled from the rack a 60s mini dress and as soon as I saw that vintage tag I was in love.  The dress is made out of some of the softest suede I've ever felt in a wonderful chocolately brown.  I knew I loved the dress and that someone must have spent a pretty penny on it back in the day, but I didn't know anything about the designer so I did a little internet sleuthing.

A few fun facts about Jacques Esterel:

• He was born Charles Martin in 1918. 
• He was an entertainer as well as a designer and wrote plays and songs. 
• He is perhaps best known for the pink gingham wedding dress he designed for Brigitte Bardot's 1959 wedding to Jacques Charrier. 
• His company was involved in a legal dispute over trademark infringement with Yves Saint Laurent.  YSL lost the legal battle and had to pay an $11,000 fine and $1,100 for each item produced from the plagiarized design.

Photography: Vintage Kisses

All photos from Flickr

I admit that when it comes to Valentine's Day, I'm a big Scrooge.  There's really nothing I like about the holiday at all. Well, I guess I like the fact that I can use it as an excuse to post these vintage photos.  These are some sweet and strange moments caught on film! So I won't say Happy Valentine's Day (I know, I sort of just did), but be sure to kiss the one you love today.